Significant symptoms for the majority of children with ADHD can continue during the transition period of college and adulthood and include: (a) driving problems; (b) difficulties with peers and social situations; (c) high-risk sexual behavior; and (d) substance abuse. This may be connected with depression, mood or conduct disorders (CHADD, 2015).

The Research:

There is significant research available regarding children with ADHD, however, there is a gap in research and health services for the vulnerable population of college students/young adults with ADHD.

The Innovation:

Background information has been gathered about this challenge since 2015 by contacting national agencies.
•Communication and consultation took place confirming that there is no known community model that exists to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
•Exemplars were obtained and consultations were conducted, however, were either not comprehensive in services or did not include services for this population.
•Collaboration began with the Partnership for Child Health in 2016.
•ADHD Community Professional s Committee (ADHDCPC) convened for the initial meeting on 6/17/16 to identify any possible gaps in services for this population so there is an improvement in learning and health outcomes to promote their successful life transition

Purpose: To review current services in the community for the emerging adult with ADHD and to identify any possible gaps in services for that population so there is an improvement in learning and health outcomes to promote a successful life transition.

Process: A quality improvement format will serve to identify opportunities for improvement and integration of services that might include: education for providers and patients/families; funding opportunities; research; dissemination of new knowledge. Quarterly meetings are conducted that focus on the multi-model treatment aspects of ADHD.

Program Overview: Download the PDF for a program overview of the development of an innovative interprofessional community model to improve learning and health outcomes for young adults with ADHD.

Dr. Teri Chenot, Associate Professor at the Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University, presented the Florida ADHD Initiative in the Innovative session at the 2016 CHADD International Conference in Costa Mesa, CA.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The Florida ADHD Initiative might be the first of its kind so it is anticipated that Jacksonville will serve as an exemplar as a community model. The quality format will serve to identify opportunities for improvement, and in addition to the integration of services, might include:

education for providers and patients/families

funding opportunities

research

dissemination of new knowledge at a national level to promote improved outcomes for the emerging adult with ADHD

An Outcomes Tracking Form has been developed with positive outcomes already emerging, i.e. committee members collaborating and abstracts have been accepted for conference presentations.